#97: It's Never Too Late To Start!

Come on this journey with me each week. When you join me, we are going.

To chase down our goals, overcome adversity.

And set you up for a better tomorrow. I'm ready for my close up. Hi, and welcome back.

I'm so excited you're back here with.

Me again this week. So it has been a crazy week. I don't know how your week has been. I hope it has been fantastic for me. I had a big keynote for Molson Cores for their entire company. So it was all around the world. And you know what's funny is people will say, oh, it's gotta be so much easier doing keynotes virtually now. Not really. I mean, yes and no. Right. You don't have to take a flight somewhere, which is great because you save so much time. However, you're not in the room. You don't feed off the energy, you don't respond and pivot based upon what you're getting back from the audience. So this was the first keynote I've done on Microsoft Teams. Every time I do a keynote on a different platform, there is that concern that technology is gonna go wrong. Right? Because it's happened so many times in the last year through this virtual world. It's been ridiculous. I've been on so many virtual keynotes and expos that have gone down that it's just. It's crazy and you never know what's gonna happen. So I was nervous about the technology. Now, the team at Molson Coors is amazing and we did two tech checks in the month leading up to the big event, so we felt good about it. But we still know that anything can go wrong day of, and, you know, we just have to get ready for it. What was so interesting, though? The team was so fantastic and I. We had so many meetings leading up to this event because this was a huge deal for them and obviously I want to do a fantastic job for them. I had never worked with them before. They had found me through LinkedIn, I believe, or through my website. I'm not sure. So anyhow, it wasn't. It didn't come through a speaker agency. It came direct and huge opportunity for me. So I wanted to kill it. I was nervous and people ask me, oh, do you ever get nervous anymore?

Heck, yeah.

And here's what I always do. I start saying, oh, I'm excited. I'm excited, right? There's this fine line between fear and excitement, and I shift it in my head. I grab my lavender, which is funny during Zoom meetings. I have it right next to me. I have my notes out next to me, which is something I don't do in person. So that. That's also a plus. Right? So key points that I want to make sure I hit on. But I've definitely stepped into this. I trust myself, you know, And I went into this meeting knowing there was two different approaches I could try, and I wasn't sure which one I was going to go with, but I just kept saying, I'm going to know which way to go. I trust myself. I know that probably makes you super scared hearing that, and it probably would have made me scared a year ago, but now I've done so many of these that I know it's going to go great, right? I visualize it in my mind ahead of time. I see myself smiling, I see the.

Chat thread lighting up.

I see it all going down and that this isn't my first rodeo. I've done so many of these now that I do know it's going to go great.

Right?

However, something that's interesting that I have learned is that things land differently with different people. So you're messaging. You know, you can have the same conversation with two different people and get different responses. The messages either connect or they don't land the exact same way. You know what I mean? So it's the same way with speaking engagements. I gave a speaking engagement two weeks ago. The people were screaming, freaking out. I received hundreds of messages right out. I mean, it was nuts. My message landed, you know, that was like a hit it out of the park. Wasn't any different than the speaking engagement I did last week or the one I'll do this week. But there are just moments where the audience, it just lands in such a powerful way. It's. Oh, my gosh, it's so exciting when that happens. I'm sure you know what that feels like when you nail a presentation or you have a meeting and just lands. They get it. And it's. It's such a great feeling. You feel so proud of yourself. So you can't see faces. So you don't know. On Microsoft Teams, all I see is my head in this red box. Pretty much that's it. Which is super annoying. But I'm trying to look at the camera, right? Cause that's one of the keys when you're in Zoom meetings. Don't look at yourself, look at the camera. That will help you land better and connect with your audience. And I knew it was going well. I thought it was going well. You can see the chat thread firing up because there's so Many people on these types of meetings, right? But you can't let yourself get taken away by it because you can go down a scary road. Meaning if you start reading all these comments, you're gonna forget what you were saying. So it's easy to get distracted. So I have to really discipline myself not to look at the chat thread, except when I ask an open ended question, which I do a few different times during the presentation to see, you know, what's resonating with people and then steer the conversation in that direction. And so I really thought it was going great, but I had some concerns. Here was one concern that was totally out of my control, but they messaged me the night before and said, we need you to get on 30 minutes earlier because we want to do additional tech check and, you know, we want you to meet the CFO and blah, blah, blah. And so I did it. And one of the things I hadn't thought about was my AirPods, right? I had my AirPods in. That's what we had been doing the tech check on. It was so long before I was actually speaking that I thought, oh my gosh, what if my AirPods die? I hadn't planned for that, right? So, oh, God, I was just gonna have to roll with it and go with the computer. Only audio. It didn't. It died literally five minutes after I got off. But I had another at a zoom meeting, right? A coaching meeting with my team right after. It was crazy. It was total. That day was just total chaos. Anyhow, so I'm on the meeting and there's all of these people on, on the Molson core side. And it was so cute what I observed and it really, it meant a lot to me. And this is why I want to share it with you wherever you work. Don't ever undervalue positive feedback, reinforcement and encouragement. I did not have this in corporate America. And this is why it really just hit me in the heart so much. When you're a presenter, you're in a different view than other people are. So I can see the backs, you know, they call it behind the stage or, you know, behind the scenes. So I can see all the private chat thread going on within the company that the rest of the company can't see. There's two threads. One is a behind the stage and one is what everyone sees. And in the behind the stage one, I could see the team, the event team encouraging one another. And I almost choked up. It was so the woman that opened up the event, she was reading, you know, a script and the team was going wild for her in the private backstage. You're killing it. Great job, Michelle.

So proud of you.

Way to open it up with fire. You're amazing. It really. She was just. She read a paragraph, I couldn't believe it. And it just reminded me of how important positive feedback is for people in any situation, how important it is to be a part of a team where the culture is just. You encourage. And so then they handed it to the next woman, and then the CFO spoke and they did the same thing for her, and everyone was going crazy for her. And then they handed it to the person that I. My point person at Molson Coors, who she's amazing. And she was doing my bio and introducing me, and they were going crazy for her, and it just. It really choked me up. And I just wanted to share with you. Don't ever underestimate when you have the possibility to add value to someone by giving positive feedback, encouragement, letting them know that you're with them, cheering them. It meant so much and they had so much fun with it, and it was so cute and so positive. And I had to share it with the team. When they handed the keynote over to me, I had to let everyone know, guys, you can't imagine what's going on backstage right now. This is unbelievable to be a part of this company and in this moment, in a culture where people truly cheer for one another, especially, you know, with International Women's Day and Women's Month and reflecting back on that awful environment I used to be in, where it was so fake and it was a facade, and that woman that I worked with was not cheering me on. She was trying to knock me off and always trust your gut, you know, I'd always question, well, maybe I'm just crazy. I don't know why I'm thinking that. It's like this. No, I wasn't crazy. I was dead on, right? And I should have been working on getting out of there, but I just. For whatever reason, I was burying my head in the sand, hoping it would just go away. And on Clubhouse this week, I had a young lady come into my confidence and cocktails every Friday at 5pm EST. And she was saying, I work for a villain, my boss is a villain, and I'm not appreciated. And they put me down and I'm like, pump the brakes. That's enough.

Quit.

There has got to be another environment in the world where people will treat you better, right? Oftentimes people say, well, I can fix it. I can make it better. And sometimes you can. But when the visceral way she was describing it. No, get out of there. Just as much as Molson Coors was such a positive environment, it was that clear that this woman was describing such a negative environment.

Run.

Run for the hills. So, anyways, I got a DM from her that was Friday. I got a DM from her over the weekend that she quit and already landed a new opportunity. So sometimes you just gotta jump and know that your wings will arrive, they will open, and you will be okay. That is the world that I am still living in. So I'm really excited for you to meet my guest this week. I actually met her at another speaking event, an expo that I did, I believe it was last year. She was a keynote speaker, too, on the roster. I met her. We just hit it off. Come to find out she actually lives in Florida, which is so crazy. After we did the interview, she said, you know, the next time I come to Miami, let's go out. And I thought, how cool is that? And ps, how cool is it gonna be when we actually get to see people in real life? One of my closest girlfriends flew in from LA to see me and my son and another one of our friends over the weekend, and it was just. We haven't seen her since before the pandemic. And, oh, my gosh, my heart was just filled with joy. It was so amazing, so fun, so exciting, so positive. We got to go to the gym together, and she and I love to work out, and neither one of us have been going to a gym, and it was just, oh, my gosh, so grateful for things that you would. We used to take for granted. It's insane. She made us go on a bike ride, which I. I haven't been on a real bike. I go to SoulCycle every day and. And spin like crazy on a stationary bike, but she had us go on a real bike ride, and it was so funny. Yes, you do just remember how to ride again. But it was hysterical. We were the worst drivers, and it was so out of left field and just, oh, my gosh, it was so amazing. So can't wait for the day that it's just the world is 100% back open again. And can't wait to see people that I've now met during this Zoom world to see them in real life. Can you imagine that? Think about all the people that we now only know through a computer and getting to actually shake hands or hug and hang out. It's gonna be so exciting. I'm so looking forward to it. Okay, so my guest today is someone who I've only met virtually, but I am gonna meet her in Miami cause she promised me she's gonna come down. Crazy story. From a reckless teenager to a top fitness and nutrition professional and influencer, Christmas Abbott has done extraordinary things that set her apart from everyone else. She first discovered her self worth and passion in her contracting years in Baghdad, Iraq. I mean, this woman was in Iraq. She went on to CrossFit Games USA Weightlifting Nationals and made history as the first female pit crew member for nascar. She did not stop there. She's a national bestseller with Badass Body Diet. Went on US and world with her nutritional seminars. She's got her app that just came out. Christmas is such a talented, unbelievable, positive light and I'm so excited for you to meet her. Hang tight, we're going to be right back.

A different guest each week. Welcome back. I'm so excited for you to meet Christmas Abbott. From a reckless teenager to top fitness and nutrition professional and influencer, Christmas has done extraordinary things that set her apart from all others in the industry. Christmas first discovered her self worth and passion in her contracting years in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Holy cow.

Afterwards, she went on and competed professionally in the CrossFit Games USA Weightlifting Nationals and made history as the first female pit crew member of nascar. Christmas didn't stop there as she became a national bestseller with her first book, Badass Body Diet and went on a US World tour with her nutrition seminar.

She.

In addition to touring for her seminars, Christmas has worked closely with several vet nonprofit organizations helping a transition from active military to civilian life through nutrition, fitness and lifestyle education. Christmas has also been highlighted in all major news channels for interviews and featured including self, cbs, NBC, NBC Sports, abc, fox, Harry, Steve Harvey. I mean, the list goes on and on. Christmas, thank you so much for being here with us today.

Oh, man, thank you so much.

So it's so crazy because I, when I saw you, we were speaking at the same virtual event together and I always try to pop in and catch a little bit of, you know, everybody just to see what's out there and whatnot. And your speech and the fire that you brought was palpable and I just, I was so drawn to your energy. So I'm super excited to have you here today.

Ah, thanks. I mean, I get that from my mama, you know.

Well, Christmas, it sounds like, you know. Well, it doesn't sound like, first of all, anyone goes to your Instagram, they're going to see how freaking confident you are. You are uber confident. Now, but it did not start out that way. So if you could share with us some of your backstory and where you came from.

You know, growing up, I was. We were just kind of dirt poor, and my literally. My parents were bikers. We just lived in a different lifestyle than what you would see most people, especially most athletes. Right. We didn't play sports. I grew up just kind of. I mean, I had everything that I needed, but anything extra, I had to figure out myself. And I won't say that I was. I think I was a super confident kid. Kid. But I really believe that, like, you have to train your confidence. You have to train yourself to be willing to fail, to take that chance to be uncomfortable, to be nervous, to be told no over and over and over. And then also, you have to be willing to accept the rewards that taking that step can lead to, which I think is more terrifying than actually failing. So for me, like, I had a really turbulent teenage years, and I used that as a crutch to not be more myself and be daring and step into my own power. But there's only so long that you can kind of hide from yourself before you're just like, I'm miserable. I'm not. Like, this isn't who I am. And you start freaking out. And usually you find that in midlife crisis, But I was fortunate enough to find it early in my 20s, and I just. I wanted to make a change. And there was no significant goal. There was no, like, this is what's gonna happen, and this is the plan. I just took action. That's it. Like, I made a decision and I started taking action. And I was like, okay, let me just see where this takes me. And that's where I was able to really kind of dive into all these really unique things and build my confidence. I didn't have confidence when I started. That's it. Like, people were like, oh, how did you get your confidence to start? It was kind of a reverse engineer. I just started, and then the confidence came as I kept doing it.

And you didn't even really know where you were going. You just figured, I'm just going to keep stepping into uncertainty and see where it takes me.

I had no clue. I had no clue. And what I tell people all the time, I'm like, look, you can have a pre. Kind of determined experience in your mind. People like, oh, I would never do that. Well, have you tried it? And then. But they're so certain. They're like, no, I won't like it, because this and this and this. And I'm like, you are just literally limiting yourself. You're restricting yourself to all of these unknown and, like, these potentially beautiful experiences. One, you might actually like it. It might give you a different experience. Fear is excitement, just reassessed. And so for what I did, I just. I had no idea what I was doing, and I just wanted something better for myself. So I started saying yes and living more in fear than from fear. You know, I was making decisions that scared me, and I was okay. Sitting in that fear of, like, whatever it was like heights, going into a war zone, trying something new, being vulnerable, being laughed at, being, you know, failing, then not doing something because of my fear of it. And so I decided to live in fear. Not from fear.

That's powerful. You brought up Iraq, which I can't even imagine. And if anyone is hearing this just on audio, you have to know Christmas is such a beautiful woman. To me, that sounds scary on so many levels. Scary for your life and not knowing if you could get killed scary that I'm sure you're one of very few women out there. You're the only woman that looks like you, I would imagine, in Iraq. So I would just imagine just being in another country in a war zone. That Was that the scariest thing you've ever done at that time?

You know, I was 22. I went into Iraq. I was in Baghdad, and we had incoming, so we had mortar rounds. Our camp got bombed. There's a few other times where just, like, it was really close. You know, they would hit the camps, and you have friends that either got injured or passed. You know, it's a scary time to think about that's a piece of our world that we're in an act of war. And then also, you know, like, a few weeks earlier, I was so oblivious to what was happening. And it just. Yeah, it puts things in perspective. Like, it grounds you quickly and it takes away all the bullshit.

So that's not an experience that you regret going through.

It was the changing point in my life. It changed. It saved my life, hands down. Saved it to kind of give you a little bit of perspective. Like, I did a lot of crazy things as a teenager, but in my early 20s, like, it just. It progressively got more and more. It's like you push that threshold more and more. Either continuum of I'm working towards a healthier life, or I'm working towards a more disastrous life, and I was working towards a more disastrous life. And, you know, I was doing really, really heavy hard drugs before I went to Iraq. And I know it's like you accept your environment and you accept it like other people don't, you know, like they're like you don't. You'll never be able to do this. That's not who you are. That's not where you came from. And that blind acceptance is what holds people back and it's not their true truth. And for me, you know, hanging around with people doing drugs every day wasn't the environment that I cultivated, but it wasn't me. And so when I went to Iraq, I had such a radical change that it literally saved my life. I would have been, you know, most likely in a ditch across the street somewhere because of drug use or just making bad decisions.

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But how do you not fall back into that when you came back to the States? Because I would imagine once you're there, it's discipline. You're in a structured environment and you're being told what to do. But once you're given your autonomy and freedom back when you came back home, how did you not fall back to bad habits again?

Well, my epiphany was pretty impacting. It was, you know, that moment of like, I don't know what to do, but I just need to do something. You know, when have you had enough? When you've had enough. And for me it wasn't perfection. It wasn't like every decision wasn't the best decision, but it was a better decision than what I had the option of choosing at the time. So I also was in Iraq for four full years. So I had a lot of discipline. And I mean it was my life. University, as I call it. Like, where'd you go to school? I didn't. But I went to Iraq for four years and I worked with a paramilitary company. So it helped me structure and schedule and really like reinforce all these things that I wanted to implement. But I would say that the fear, like knowing that I had finally started to tap into my true self and my potential, that was what the driving force was. And so for a while, I was making decisions to stay away from this old lifestyle. Like, I didn't like it. I didn't like who I was. I didn't feel good. It's a hard life. It's much harder than doing workouts every day. I'm going to tell you, like, it's much. They were like, oh, my gosh, I can't meal prep. I can't work out all this stuff. I'm like, the alternative choice is significantly more painful and significantly harder and more expensive in the long run. So I knew that I didn't want to go to that life anymore. And so I just started making decisions to better decisions, and it led me to a pretty incredible life. So I still struggle with discipline and schedule and like, all the things that people do. I'm not nearly as regimented as I used to be coming home from Iraq and while I was in Iraq. But I also can find the balance of living a little bit of a life now instead of just so strict.

So was it working out in Iraq that started opening your ideas to the fitness industry and the fitness world?

Actually, no. I think that it was coming home after Iraq that. That's what that was. I mean, I didn't do any workouts or sports until Iraq. So that was. And I figured, you know, here I am, 22 years old doing my first mile run, and it killed me. I couldn't walk for a week. I was too late to the game, you know, and when I came home, I just kept doing what I loved. And it made me feel good. It made me feel, like, worthy of myself. And I knew that when I got to work out, it was going to be a better day. And I also have fought depression from a childhood, from my early teens even to today, I. I fight. And that helped me handle that, you know, and be able to control that. And then it just, like, I got pushed into competing because I was like, I'm not a competitor. I got pushed into competing and I discovered a whole new world.

So you said something that's really important that I want to highlight, which is you had a moment where you thought, oh, I'm too late to the game. I'm starting sports in my 20s. This is ridiculous. I grew up as an athlete. Well, a child athlete. You know, I was playing sports my whole entire life. So when you said that, it really resonated. I can imagine if I knew you in my 20s, I wouldn't say, why are you starting this now?

Right.

It just, it doesn't make sense, but somehow you were able to push through that. That lie that was out there and say, it doesn't matter that I'm starting in my 20s. I'm starting, and that is all that matters. And just keep going because now to see where you are and what you've accomplished in the future fitness industry after starting in your 20s, it just goes to show it is never too late for anyone.

Not at all. Not at all. And I mean, everybody can. You decide today to start your journey? And I'm still. I mean, I'm 39. I'll be 40 this year. I'm really excited about it, But I'm also like, oh, my God, what now? And there's a lot of. There's a lot of projects that I'm. I'm really excited about. But then you also have that. That little voice, you know, society in the back of your mind. You're like, girl, you're 40. You gonna start a new project? And I'm like, yes, yes. And I have to. I have to combat it, you know, because it's still. Even with all the things that I've done, that. That doubt naturally kind of comes back to me, and that voice comes back, and I'm like, no, bitch, you don't get to. You don't have that say, like, this is my choice, and I'm gonna succeed. And I think that when people understand that that voice is a liar, and you have to. You have to talk back to it, and you have to let them know that you're the boss. And that's what I always say. I'm like. I think, like, during my workouts, they're like, what do you do to hype yourself up? I just tell them that I'm the baddest bitch here, and that's what it's in my head, you know? But if you say it in your head and you say it to yourself and you're doing it in motion, it sticks. And then you're like, I am the baddest bitch here. Even if only to yourself, you know.

Oh, my gosh, that's so good. And it's so true. If you state claims and you're moving your body, it is science back that it actually will stick with you. So I'm so happy you brought that up, Christmas. You are so right. And you did use that same you're the baddest bitch line when I heard you speaking, which I freaking loved. And my spin instructor uses it every Saturday morning, and I worship that. And it just reminds me to say to myself. You also just remind me of something else. I just had a doctor on who works around negative self talk. Dr. Abbott. No, not Dr. Abbott. You're Dr. Abbott. Dr. Cross. And so. And one of the things that he taught me, which you innately are doing on your own, is super important. You step out of yourself and coach yourself, which is what you just explained to me. Almost as if you're a third person. You're outside of your body. That is scientifically proven to work. The problem is when people stay in the eye and they stay inside, they don't jump out to start coaching and looking at themselves from outside of their body, outside of their self. So you're innately doing what he has taken years to find, essentially a solution to help people really. Stop that negative chatter. Step outside of yourself. Look at yourself as if you're coaching another person and give the directive that they need to do. So amazing job.

I love that. I love that. You know, fun fact is that loyal. My son, he's 2 years old, he's doing it too.

Of course he is. Because he learns by watching you. Of course.

It's so cool. He's a rad little dude. Now that I'm observing and I understand that this is an actual application, that's pretty cool.

It's amazing that sometimes we can stumble upon something without knowing for sure, but then just feeling like, hey, this feels good. This is helping me get through this. And what a great life hack.

That mantra got me through all of my training for the Games and not even training for the Games, training to actually do my first competition. I mean, that's what that was about. Like, that wasn't. It wasn't like, oh, I've made it. Now I'm gonna, like, have this mantra. And it was like, that was the building block to get me there, Which I didn't even know that that's where I was gonna go. I was just like, I just love this so much, and I feel good, and I'm gonna do more of what makes me feel good.

So this is interesting to me because I hear so many people preach around visualization and knowing where you want to end up going and focusing on that. And you weren't doing that at any point in time. Did that switch for you? Or has it just always been okay?

I want to hear about that for sure. Switched right when I started competing, because my friend who forced me in a competition, I hated it. He was a really big competitor, and he did like mma and he said, look, every day, don't do it. All, you don't have to do it all, but just do what you're able to do. Like show up every day. And then when you go to competition day, you know that you've done everything in your power to lead you and prepare you for that moment. That moment's it. Like, do what you know how to do. Don't get in your own head. Don't change anything. And then what I started doing is visualizing myself in these competitions, but I visualize myself in these competitions with things going wrong. So, like, I visualize like if I fell down or if I dropped the weight, or like I basically made obstacles of how I would attack a problem if and when it occurred and then not only overcome it, but also exceed it. So for me, it was like, I can visualize something perfect, fantastic, not gonna fucking happen. I visualized real stuff that was actually gonna happen. And so I knew that whatever happened, I was gonna be able to manage it and in a calm, assertive way to be able to correct and exceed. So that's what I did.

Would that actually.

But then I would also visualize winning.

Would that happen? Would you have those things that you had forecasted or. Sometimes you would, sometimes you wouldn't, sometimes.

You would, sometimes you wouldn't. Like, somebody getting in your way or, you know, like our hands rip a lot in competition, you know, just like ripping the skin off and going, you know, just. I know it sounds crazy, but if you don't plan for things to that are not in your plan, then you can, like, I didn't want to easily get derailed by something so much as like me not being able to take the clip off the weight, you know, just you. For me, I had to focus on that. So I knew that it didn't have to be perfect to be great.

Oh my gosh, it's so good. And there is no such thing as perfect. And I have to tell you, I absolutely employ the same methodology. I was going on the Elvis Duran show for the first time a few years ago and I was so nervous. And so I started thinking, okay, what's the worst that can happen? In my mind, the worst that could happen is I could fall down and getty Images get a shot of me falling on the ground in his studio. So I played that out. Like, okay, what does that look like? Okay. Then I get back up, I laugh about it, and we move on. So, like, exactly what you're saying, like, I started playing out, what are these worst case scenarios that can happen and I'm gonna live through them. I'm gonna laugh about them and we're gonna keep on. All works out fine.

Yes. Yes. It's such a good exercise to know that life is gonna give you a curveball. You know, it's kind of like you still have to figure out how to keep going. Just because you get a flat tire, you don't abandon your car. You figure it out. I'll call it fifo. Figure it. Effing out.

FIFO it.

You know, just like, get it done. And if you, if you're not like, realistic on planning for that, and I do that even with my schedule, I'm like, okay, I'm going to go. I know that there's a hard time to find parking down there, so I'm going to allot myself extra time to find parking. So I don't get road rage, you know. So it's just, you know, you got to kind of like, think about it. People don't think about what they're doing anymore.

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Very, very true. So for you, one of the things that I noticed when I look at your career, it's not linear and it's very unex. Baghdad Fitness CrossFit Reality TV. It seems to me like hi's Lowe's highs. Lowe's. How do you figure that trajectory out? Or is it just by chance? How did you come to be where you are today?

Man, I said yes when other people said no. It's just that willingness to try something else and then if it sparked a passion in me or a fire in me, then I would pursue it. And I'm not going to say that that's the best, best strategy but, but it works for me. And now I'm starting to be more like I'm really Dialing in a lot of my business, I'm making it more fluid because I want to spend more time at home with my son. Before, it was like I could fly anywhere and do anything and I still can, but I prefer to be with him. And so I know that there's another, like, fiery project for me to do out there. I just don't know what it is yet. And being open to what God puts into my life is really important because if I would have said no to a couple, like one of those things, that my life would be completely different and not saying it would be better or worse. But I really, really enjoy what I've did, what I've done so far. And I think that, like people that, I mean, it just depends on what that person's goal is and also their personality. I like to do a lot of different things. My ADD is full throttle. So I know that if I sit down from a nine to five every day and do the same thing for 20 years, that doesn't resonate with my soul. And I like having a little adventures, as I call them, with Loyal. We go on little adventures and let's see what happens.

That's so exciting, this idea of the power of yes. And what's funny is I'm always preaching to people, just say no. And you don't need to explain because so often I work with different people in here. You know, oh, I'm going to do this even though I don't want to. I'm going to show up for this person even though I don't have the time. And so I'm constantly preaching to people, no, you can just say no and that's a complete sentence and thank them and move on. But there also is something to the power of saying yes. And a lot of people get held back in that I'm not qualified, I'm too old, it's not my right time, I wasn't invited. You know, all the excuses that we can find around why you should shouldn't say yes. So how do you reframe that so you're able to step into it so easily?

It's very feeling driven, meaning that, like, if something kind of interests me or piques my. My interest and kind of like tickles my soul, then I'm gonna say yes, even if I'm not invited. Or, you know, like, if it gives me like this, this fear a little bit, then I say yes, because it's a new experience. And if I try it one time and I hate it, then I know if I try it one time, and I'm not sure then I'll try it again. And that's how I found, like, that's how I literally fell into nascar. Like, I went and said yes to a thing that I thought we were gonna be driving the darn car, and we went and hit lug nuts. And I'm telling you, I was mad. Like, I didn't want to be there. I was, like, trying to call my friend and tell him to get me out of here, you know, to be like, call an emergency. And so I was like, okay, I'll hang out for the day. Like, I said I would. And I'm telling you, if I had had more information, I would have definitely said no. And I showed up, and then I was like, what is this? And they were like, this is what we're going to be doing today. And so it literally changed my career path 100%. And I got excited, and it scared me, and so I had to do it. I just have to, like, get out of my own head and get out of my own way and just know that something really beautiful and unique might happen.

Oh, that sounds so exciting. And it's so funny that you were mad you weren't getting a chance to drive.

Oh, yeah. I was pissed. I was like, we're gonna be changing tires. What? And then. And then, like, it was just the coolest day I can remember the day. So clearly, it was the coolest day ever.

And you ended up loving it.

Loved it. Had a whole career I went into. Actually, funny story is that when I started working on pit crew, I was early 30s. And so, like, people in my position were retiring because of their age and, like, their inability to keep up with the sports demand because it's really hard on your body. And so there I am. There's another reason. One, I'm the only female that's ever done it. Two, people are retiring before they're my age, and I'm coming in as a new whippersnapper. You know, basically agent old woman into this new sport that I've never done before. And it would be really easy to say, nope, not qualified, nope, nope, nope. And I was like, screw it. Let's have some fun. I love having fun, and that's why I love my workouts. That's why I love trying new things. It's not always going to be a party, but you should enjoy it as much as possible.

That is so true. And no better time to be talking about this during a global pandemic, because I know for me, I Have plenty of days. I just think I just need to survive this time. I just need to live through this time. And I'm forgetting about what you're saying. Like, no, it's not about just surviving. It's about thriving and enjoying your time. And it is easy to forget about that, given the situation that all of us are in with both of us having our kids at home where typically they would be at school and life would be very different.

You know, I used to say, put on your lip gloss and go have a fun day, but now it's like, put on the wing liner because you have the mask. And like I said, you know me. Like, Loyal is home this week. He was home last week. Very unexpected through a few wrenches in my schedule. But it's fine. Like, we're gonna have an adventure later today. He's gonna try something new. I'm gonna live through his experience. I'm probably gonna try something new. We're gonna have a blast. And it's just like, what's the point if you're not enjoying it, period?

That is so, so good. Thank you for that reminder, because it definitely. I needed that one today. So one of the things that I noticed on your social media, which I am over here applauding you and cheering you on, you are so confident, the way that you show up on social and truly fearless. Right. How is it that you're able to do that? And I mean, one of the most recent photo shoots you have is freaking amazing. Off the charts, unbelievable. So proud of you. But I know just being another female that's on social media, that you must get haters. How do you handle the haters when they come?

I feel like there's a few different types of haters. There's haters that are just gonna. They just talk down. Like, they're just mean. And usually, actually, it's really sad because a lot of them are young kids. Like 12, 13, 14, you know, like early teens.

Eight.

I've gotten. Yeah, it's just wild. I have a lot of opinions on social media accountability, but for me, like, especially if somebody, like, I've had really hateful messages sent to me. It depends on the tone. Sometimes I'll. I'll choose to educate them. Meaning, like, one person got upset because I was implied nude, and they were like, you're a mother. Like, first of all, I gave birth naked. That's what our bodies fucking do, you know, News flash. We were born naked. We're gonna leave this world naked. There's a lot of naked days in between. And like, what does that have to do with anything? Like, it was very tasteful. Even if it wasn't, it's still my right. It's my right whether I'm a mother or not. And so I went on a little tangent in the sense of, like, I don't push back in a negative way. I like to educate so people can take the information and go on or change their opinion. So normally I will kind of softly, but also very concisely, just like, let them know, like, hey, look, this is one my Instagram. You're coming into my. My home. Yeah, I'm a public figure. But you came to. You click that follow me button. You clicked the comment. You clicked and decided what you were going to put out there through your voice on social media. That's on you. You don't have to participate in my world if you don't want to. And that's usually like, the message that I claim is like, I'm not asking you to follow me. I don't need you to. So whether I have a million followers or one follower, I'm gonna still be myself. And that's where my confidence comes is because I'm not trying to be anything other than me. I think that's where, like, people deteriorate is when they're like trying to post for the masses and get likes by everybody. And I'm like, nah, I like myself more than just likes for, you know.

It'S so good and so true. The most powerful you'll ever be is when you just show up as that real you. And those are the moments. It really doesn't matter what comes after. Like you said, it doesn't matter about the legs. It's about the fact that you took that step into being you. And it comes through loud and clear. Christmas. So I know you do so much work to help others, to help others with their diet, to help others with their workout. Can you share with us about your new app?

Oh, yeah, I love it so much. It's called Christmas Fitness. So it's Christmas Fitness.com and it's kind of like me on Netflix. You get an absurd amount of videos of me. We do full. I do full length workouts and there's different levels of, you know, there's beginner, intermediate, advanced. And I show you every, every workout. I show you the movement, I show you how to modify for more intensity or less intensity. And then I do the whole workout with you. There are timed workouts, so if you got five repetitions or 20, that's your time. And I literally coach you through the workout the entire time. We do mindset, we do some meditation. I do full on cooking shows. And then I also do nutrition education. It's called Can Express. And you know, I just, I've been in this industry for so long now, it's like 15 plus years, which is kind of bizarre. You know, you just learn a lot. So I'm just trying to unpack all the things that are in my head and my repertoire to be able to give to everybody else on a, on a video format. And so I do programs every month and if you want to do one of the old programs, you can. We have a private Facebook group. It's just a lot of fun. Like My rebels, I call them My Rebels. They, they're like on fire in the Facebook group. I get in there and like, they're like, Christmas, we don't even need you get out. They motivate each other. They have like little zoom workout classes too. I mean, it's a whole literal community in their own right. And there's some bad bitches and dudes in there, so guys and girls are rocking and rolling. We just have so much fun. And it's really affordable. I have some higher price point things, but this is like $37 a month. It's subscription. So you don't like, if you don't want to be in it next month, then you don't have to be in it next month. That's not what I'm about. I'm just about giving people my information because I wish that I had more. When I was starting off, it was a lot to learn.

Oh my gosh. Yeah. 15 years of it. And there's problem is there's a lot of bad information out there, which people like me or when you were starting out, you just don't know. And it's great to have someone who's actually lived it. You've gone through it, you started it in your early 20s. You've approached it from a really methodical, smart place. And now you're able to put the best of all the information together. And I love the community that you've created. And of course they're rebels. Who else would they be?

Yeah, they're super fun. Like I literally. If I'm having any sort of like bump in the day or down or like just kind of like not feeling it, I literally go to the Facebook and I just read some of their comments and they're. They're in it. They're so much fun. Like that alone Is priceless for me.

Everyone's gonna wanna find you Christmas. So where can everybody find you and where can they get the app?

The app is christmas fitness.com youm can have a download on your phone and your tv. I'm kind of everywhere for you. And then follow me on Instagram on Christmas Abbott and then I have my Facebook fan page, Christmas Abbott.

Thank you so much for being here and can't wait to hear about your adventure later on today. I hope you guys have an.

Thank you so much. I appreciate you.

Appreciate you right back. All right, hold tight. We're going to be right back. I asked you to try to find your passion.

I hope you loved meeting Christmas as much as I loved interviewing her. She is such a positive force and just a real light in the world. Okay, so let's dive into a couple of questions. I received one on Instagram and one on LinkedIn. If you have any questions for me, shoot me a DM on any social media platform and I answer them here for you live.

Okay.

Hey, Heather, wanted to reach out for your advice. I was recently fired. Unfairly, of course. Wrong leaders, previous boss left, blah blah blah. This was in November 2020. If I'm interviewing now, is it best to say I am still with the company? I feel as though saying I am no longer there. And especially telling a recruiter or hiring manager that I was let go, no matter the reasoning will cause me not to be hired again. What are your thoughts? So no, always be honest. Listen, the best advice I can give you in regards to interviewing is be transparent. I would rather not get a job being me and telling the truth. Because here's the thing. If a company doesn't want you because you were fired from another one, those aren't your people, right? They're. Why are they judging?

What?

They've never been fired. They've never been in a bad situation. Reframe getting fired. I talk about getting fired everywhere, right? I put getting fired to work for me. If I decided tomorrow that I wanted to go work for a company, I'd walk in and say, yeah, I got fired. I was working for someone who didn't value and appreciate me. I was. I had outgrown the company I was working for. I need to work with confident people. If the team that you're interviewing this position for is not confident, I'm not going to be the right person. Right? Show up and shine your light. Own your story. You do not want to lie. Misleading people is never the right answer. People want transparency, authenticity, honesty, trust and lead. With that, say, listen, I could have very easily, you know, sidestepped this. However, I want to call it out. I want to save you the time, me, the time, everybody, here's the thing. I was fired from my last position, and it really stung. There was a lot of politics behind the scenes, whatever. The bottom line is this. I did a great job there. I'd like to talk about the value that I brought and talk about how I can bring value to this opportunity today, but I don't want to mince words, and I don't want you to think I would ever mislead you. The character of who I am is I'm an honest person who will always do 100% what you ask. You know, give 100%, and I will also always be honest with you, put that to work for you.

Right.

So I would reframe it. That's 100% what I would do. Okay. Hey, Heather, I'm watching you on the Molson course kickoff right now. This is so crazy. This is what's so cool about. It's so cool about social media that you can get people DMing you while you're live talking. This woman goes on to say that, you know, I talked about firing your villains during my keynote, and she went on to say, what if I have a villain as a coworker and I can't fire that person? This is interesting, and I hear this a lot from people. You know, here's the thing. You can create boundaries, number one. That's really important, and that's something that I had to learn how to do myself. You can create boundaries and. Or you can raise your hand and ask to be moved to a different team. You should probably do both, right? So creating boundaries means having a very good, clear conversation with that person, letting them know what you will no longer tolerate, and then making sure that you hold those boundaries.

You don't.

You know, just because somebody used to treat you one way doesn't mean you have to fall back to that. You can completely start over and change a new today, but you need to hold the boundaries and hold them accountable to it. Now, let's say the person. Let's say you go and have a conversation and you say, listen, you're speaking over me in meetings. I really don't appreciate that. I treat you with respect and allow you to finish your sentences. I would like that same respect. Can you offer that back to me? And if the person says, yeah, no problem. Okay, great. Thank you. I'm. You know, maybe you just weren't aware you're doing? Yeah, no problem. Okay, great. Oh, maybe it was a miscommunication. Fast forward the person does it to you again in the next meeting. That's when you say, excuse me, John, we had a discussion about this. Could you please let me finish my thought? I'd really appreciate it.

Right.

You call out the poor behavior in a very calm, no emotional, no emotion in business. Stay calm, don't give someone else your power, and you call it out. Now if that does not get better and the person is clearly, you know, trying to screw with you, then you raise your hand and you go to your supervisor and say, listen, I tried to handle this on my own. Unfortunately, this person is still not respecting me in the same way that everybody else on the team respects one another. I don't think it's in my best interest to work side by side with this person. Is there any way I can be moved to a different team? Right. And maybe what will happen is a supervisor will say, no, I'm going to go talk to John and deal with John. That that's unacceptable behavior. And a lot of this goes back to communication. So many people just aren't aware what's going on. Everyone's caught up in their own worlds, moving fast, not paying attention. So raise your hand, ask for help. Raise your hand and call out the bad behavior. People will treat you the way you teach them to. So let's start teaching them better. Okay? I have some exciting stuff to tell you guys. I have new merch that's gonna come out. I'm waiting for it to arrive at my house right now. I can't frickin wait. You're gonna flip out. And the reason why I created it, I have so many messages from people asking for it. So I just thought to myself, you know what, if people want it, I'm gonna bring it. Let's, let's go all in. Let's 20, 21, it's the year, let's blow it up. I can't wait to hear what you think. As always. I, you know. Well, you know, I'm working on my second book that's gonna be out in November. I'm under deadline right now, by the way. It's so intense doing a book with a publisher. So much more work than doing a book on your own when you self publish, just FYI, I'm just putting it out there. Wow. This is our third round of edits and deadlines and they don't give you a lot of time. Super stressful. But anyways, I'm super excited for the new book to come out and I still have my group coaching. I've got my one on one coaching where I solve your sales problems. DM me. Reach out to me. Heathermonahan.com Would love to to hear from you. Okay, until next week. Keep creating confidence and as always, please subscribe, rate and review and share this on social. I will always repost and I'll catch you next week.

I decided to change that dynamic. I couldn't be more excited for what you're gonna hear. Start learning and growing.

Inevitably something will happen.

No one succeeds alone.

You don't stop and look around once in a while.

You could miss it.

Come on this journey with me.